I had trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor on the phone when I had questions about my salaried position eligibility. Kept getting disconnected after waiting 2+ hours. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual agent in like 15 minutes. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Definitely worth it if you need to talk to someone directly about your specific situation.

OMG yes!! I was so stressed about this same thing when I got laid off from my HR coordinator job. Filed online and got approved no problem. Being salaried actually made some parts easier because my income was consistent quarter to quarter.

If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to ask about job training programs or get specific guidance on job search strategies, I had good luck with a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They helped me get through to an actual agent when I couldn't get past the busy signals. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made it much easier to get answers about available resources.

Same boat here - been unemployed for 3 months and constantly worrying about these policy changes affecting my chances. But honestly the job market seems pretty steady in most areas right now.

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to check on your adjudication status, I used a service called Claimyr that helped me reach an actual agent. You can check them out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I was stuck trying to call for weeks and they got me through to someone who could explain exactly what documentation the employer had submitted and what I needed to provide for my defense.

The whole misconduct thing is so subjective it's ridiculous. I've seen people get denied for the most minor stuff while others who actually deserved to be fired somehow get approved. The system is a joke and employers know they can just claim misconduct for anything and make you jump through hoops to prove otherwise.

Make sure you understand the difference between quitting and constructive discharge! If you were forced to quit due to unsafe conditions, that's constructive discharge and you should be eligible for benefits. Bring any witnesses if possible - former coworkers who can testify about the conditions. Also check if your state has specific laws about workplace safety that your employer violated.

Good luck tomorrow! I'm dealing with something similar - my employer is claiming I was fired for cause but I was actually laid off. These hearings sound so intimidating but everyone here makes it seem manageable.

this is why the whole system is messed up - people pay into unemployment insurance but can't collect when they need it. but yeah legally speaking they can't get benefits without proper work authorization. the restaurant industry especially has this problem where workers contribute to systems they can't access

Just want to add that if your friend needs help navigating this situation or understanding their options, they might want to contact a workers' rights organization. Some provide confidential assistance and know about alternative resources that don't require the same documentation as government benefits.